Promotion requests exceed budget

Organizations seek $969,325 from fund estimated to contain $690,500

Organizations seek $969,325 from fund estimated to contain $690,500

August 21, 2007|By Jackie Burke, American News Writer

Aberdeen-area organizations are requesting a total of $969,325 from the city's promotion fund, or about $278,825 more than originally budgeted. Aberdeen Mayor Mike Levsen's proposed budget estimates that $690,500 will be in the promotion fund, but that number could be low, Levsen said. Based on the current receipts, the city could have additional money to give organizations, but it's not known how much. The 30 organizations began meeting with the City Council on Monday to discuss their 2008 budgets. The meetings will continue at 4 p.m. today and Thursday. Each organization will speak about 10 minutes. On Monday, the City Council heard requests from Dacotah Prairie Museum, Northern State University Foundation, Sertoma Club, Aberdeen Area Arts Council, Citizens with Disabilities Committee, NADRIC Addiction Services, Senior Nutrition, Senior Companions of South Dakota and South Dakota All-Star Games. Here are the breakdowns of what each group seeks:

Dacotah Prairie Museum: requests $14,000 from the promotion fund, which is $3,000 more than what was granted to the museum last year. The museum wants to use the money to attract Aberdonians to the museum. In previous years the money was spent to attract tourists.

Northern State University Foundation: requests $10,000, which is $1,000 more than what was granted to the organization last year. The money is used toward scholarships and attracting students to the university.

Sertoma Club: requests $20,000, which is $5,000 more than was granted last year. The group plans to use the money to revamp the stream and munchkin land at Storybook Land.

Aberdeen Area Arts Council: requests $32,000 from the promotion fund, which is $6,000 more than the organization was granted last year. The money will be used to help finance events such as Arts in the Park, Winterfest and other theatrical performances geared toward younger Aberdonians.

Citizens with Disabilities Committee: requests $1,250, which is $250 more than was granted last year. Levsen said the money is used just to keep the organization functioning.

NADRIC Addiction Services: requests $25,000, which is $5,000 more than was granted to the organization last year. The money is used to help fund the addiction courses, such as the Driving Under the Influence classes.

Senior Nutrition: requests $5,000 as a match to a federal grant.

Senior Companions of South Dakota: requests $500; the group did not request money last year. The money is used to help balance the group's budget and pay taxes.

South Dakota All-Star Games: requests $6,500, which is $1,500 more than what was granted last year. The money will be used to help buy new equipment and keep the games in the Aberdeen area. The City Council will decide Thursday how much money to give each organization after hearing presentations from all groups. Reporter Jackie Burke; (605) 622-2303 or 1-800-925-4100 ext. 303; jburke@aberdeennews.com